Recommend August 2011 - (Page 21)

destination. Samui (as locals call it) is full of natural, secluded romantic resorts where over pampering visitors seems second nature to attentive staff. While more laid-back and less-developed than other Thailand destinations, Koh Samui—as of April—listed 16,609 rooms, a figure that prompted local hoteliers to grumble about the lack of flights to the island. Presently, Bangkok Airways, a carrier that lives up to its reputation as a “boutique airline,” brings about 90 percent of all travelers to the island. The mellow atmosphere and quieter lifestyle of Koh Samui is evident from the minute one lands in the open-air, spacious airport. There is little of the hustle and dizzy, neon flash of more popular places like Pattaya, and one begins to realize how this destination differs when one considers that its most memorable landmark is the “Big Buddha,” a 45-ft.-tall golden statue built in 1972 as the focal point of the Phra Yai Temple complex. The statue rests on a high platform easily accessible by a staircase with dragons serving as rails from where a picturesque panorama of Koh Samui unfolds. Local tradition holds that new visitors make Phra Yai their first stop to light josh sticks and pray for a memorable visit. The flood of tourists has inevitably led to the temple being surrounded by shops, art galleries, perfumeries, and boutiques, but surprisingly, that doesn’t take away from the appeal and religious significance of the site. where to stay Here, accommodations meet and exceed the needs of even the most discriminating traveler. Among the most stunning properties is the Six Senses Hideaway Samui, one of the most alluring destinations in the Sala Property collection, about four miles from the airport. This lush resort consists of 66 villas (52 feature private infinity pools), an award-winning restaurant, wine cellar, plasma TVs, air conditioning, private butlers and many other amenities. It truly merits the label of “hideaway,” with spectacular views from every villa and a spa recognized as one of the best in a destination known for its spas. Sitting on the northernmost tip of Koh Samui, the Six Senses has some of the most stunning views of the outlying islands of the Andaman Sea. The villas are built among natural vegetation that covers a seafront bluff, where a sense of seclusion prevails. The resort exudes a Thai rural atmosphere. There is a feral sense to its surroundings, paths leading down to the beach and rustic touches that stress the sustainability that’s the theme of the Six Senses, from the natural lemongrass insect repellent, to the organic vegetables grown in its own gardens to be served in the hotel’s restaurants. Even the seafood is bought daily from local fishermen. The spa has an outdoor salon and private indoor treatment rooms for couples or singles, where experts in the art of holistic and traditional therapies practice their art. Rates run from about $400 pp dbl for a hideaway villa to approximately $880 for an oceanfront villa suite. Price includes breakfast and one spa treatment per day. Those preferring a different type of accommodation shouldn’t bypass Zazen Samui Boutique Resort, a classic 26-room boutique hotel on BoPhut Beach, where every villa is built in the basic Thai split-level style and features open Balinese-style tropical bathrooms. Zazen is a delightful, colorful and peaceful retreat that reflects Thai culture and local island influence. It offers guests free use of kayaks and wind surfboards. While on the beach, they are attended by staffers who provide massages, cold towels, exotic teas and fruit. Its LeSpa Zen i—a traditional Thai spa offering the classic treatments that have made Thailand synonymous with the healing properties of massages and body care—ranks among the best in Koh Samui. Its wellness center is elegant and modern, while relaxation rooms feature cold plunge pools and rain showers. Zazen is a haven featuring serenity, as befits a place named after a classic Buddhist meditation posture. The ochre-colored bungalows are hidden in a tropical garden facing one of the best beaches on the island and are furnished with the latest technology. At night, torches and candles illuminate the property, and visitors and locals alike—always a good sign—flock to its restaurant for its romantic atmosphere and the fantastic fusion of eastern and western dishes emerging from its kitchen. Prices range from as low as $200 per night dbl to about $325, although they may be slightly higher, depending on the season. W Hotels unveiled its first Retreat property in Southeast Asia only last November in Koh Samui and the resort adheres to the brand’s urbane chic philosophy. The property is already setting new standards for modern luxury and excellent service throughout Southeast Asia. The resort is labeled “an island within an island” and, indeed, there are times when it seems to be far removed from the rest of the world. Here, guests will be treated to a stunning visual experience from the moment they enter the lobby with its overwhelming ocean vista stretching all the way to the horizon, but beguilingly intimate at the same time. For a unique touch, digital floor projections blend with an environment accented with off-white terrazzo floors, cathedral ceilings paneled with angular bleached wood and a water relaxation area inspired by lotus flowers. W Retreat Koh Samui sits on a stretch of beach between Maenam and BoPhut and is an excellent place to unwind after a day of jungle trekking, visiting a fisherman’s village or hikes to nearby waterfalls, all a short distance away. With stunning jungle and ocean views, personal tropical pools and the Gulf of Thailand beyond, the 75 rooms are highlighted by ultramodern interiors, futuristic design, cutting-edge technology and up-todate amenities. And what a variety of accommodations there is, including Jungle Oasis, Tropical Oasis, Ocean View Escape and Extreme Wow Ocean Haven. Prices vary from approximately $430 dbl for a Jungle Oasis with private pool and outdoor living area, to about $830 for an Ocean Front Haven with superb service and amenities. The ultra-chic property is five-star luxury personified. With the large number of resorts springing up around the island, Koh Samui has come a long way from the days when it was a backpacker’s destination, but even today it offers some of that basic travel adventure allure with some of the most delightful samples of Thai culture. n Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Savoring Exotic Asia (May 2011) contact information Bangkok Airways: bangkokair.com Six Senses Hideaway Samui: (800) 591 7480; sixsenses.com/sixsensessamui Tourism Authority of Thailand: (212) 432-0433; tourismthailand.org W Retreat Koh Samui: (877) 946-8357; starwoodhotels.com Zazen Samui Boutique Resort: samuizazen.com august 2011 21 http://www.recommend.com http://agent.recommend.com/magazine-archive/may-2011/savoring-exotic-asia/ http://www.bangkokair.com http://www.sixsenses.com/sixsensessamui http://www.tourismthailand.org http://www.starwoodhotels.com http://www.samuizazen.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2011

Editor"s Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Regent Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: The Wayfarers
Africa Travel Options Mix the Classic with the New
Thailand's Koh Samui
Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia
Escaping to San Juan's Condado
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Central America: Roads Less Traveled
In Search of Flanders' Holy Ale
Downtown L.A. in the Thick of Things
Scrumptious Savannah
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth

Recommend August 2011